President al-Assad: Syria Welcomes Red Cross Humanitarian Operations

(Dp-news - Sana)

Damascus- President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday said Syria welcomes humanitarian operations carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the Syrian ground as long as it works independently and neutrally,"

President al-Assad words came during his meeting with Head of the ICRC Peter Maurer in Damascus on Tuesday.

President al-Assad welcomed the work of the Committee as long as it is independent, works objectively and away from politicization.

For his part, Maurer expressed appreciation over the Syrian government's cooperation with the committee, hailing the bridge of confidence built between the two sides.

Later on Tuesday, Mikdad and Maurer reviewed means of enhancing the standing cooperation between the two sides and overcoming obstacles facing the ICRC humanitarian operations in Syria.

The two sides agreed on certain coordination mechanisms to activate the humanitarian activities to cope with humanitarian needs of the Syrian citizens.

Mikdad stressed the Syrian government's commitment to facilitating the mission of the International Committee and providing all means to carry out its activities in line with principles regulating its work, particularly neutrality, independence and achieving its humanitarian goals.

In turn, Maurer thanked the Syrian government for its cooperation with the ICRC, stressing the ICRC's commitment to carry out its work of serving the interests of the Syrian citizens affected by current events neutrally and away from any foreign political influence.